underestimate

American  

[uhn-der-es-tuh-meyt, uhn-der-es-tuh-mit, -meyt] / ˌʌn dərˈɛs təˌmeɪt, ˌʌn dərˈɛs tə mɪt, -ˌmeɪt /

verb (used with object)

underestimated, underestimating

1. to estimate at too low a value, rate, or the like.

   Synonyms:

   miscalculate, misjudge, underrate, undervalue

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verb (used without object)

underestimated, underestimating

1. to make an estimate lower than that which would be correct.

noun

1. an estimate that is too low.

underestimate British  

/ ˌʌndərˈɛstɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to make too low an estimate of

   he underestimated the cost

2. to think insufficiently highly of

   to underestimate a person

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noun

1. too low an estimate

Usage

Underestimate is sometimes wrongly used where overestimate is meant: the importance of his work cannot be overestimated (not cannot be underestimated )

Other Word Forms

• underestimation noun

Etymology

Origin of underestimate

First recorded in 1805–15; under- + estimate

Example Sentences

I’ve underestimated the Steelers before, and they just cobbled together an impressive victory over Miami, but it’s hard not to like the Lions here.

From Los Angeles Times

Curacao, with a population of fewer than 200,000 people, is the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup, but they should not be underestimated.

From Los Angeles Times

But given some NHS hospitals are affected and not all the restrictions placed on private hospitals are thought to have been been declared that could be an underestimate.

From BBC

Consensus views on HSBC’s growth in the two markets underestimate its potential to increase market share, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal

While it’s faced some tough headlines of late, OpenAI remains a key driver of the trend, and it’s underestimated in the enterprise space.

From Barron's

Related Words

• belittle
• miscalculate
• underrate
• undervalue